The Learning and Development Team together with our apprenticeship providers, Paragon Skills*, visited many of our homes throughout February. Team members were able to find out about the many opportunities available to them to develop their career. In 2022-23 there were more than 300 Achieve together team members in work-based apprenticeships.
While the majority of these apprenticeships are in care, team members in other roles are also encouraged to explore avenues for career development.
We recently welcomed our first Property Maintenance Apprentice, Stephanie Haywood to the Estates Team. Steph is absolutely thriving in her new position. We’re delighted to provide the opportunity and career pathway for such a role.
Teamwork and practical skills
Estates Development Director, Teresa Parker comments “It’s been a great experience working with Walsall College on recruiting our first Maintenance Operative Apprentice. Not only is Steph our first apprentice in Maintenance, but our first female Maintenance Operative too. We hope that she will be the first of many females joining the team and industry.
“Already, Steph has shown great teamwork and practical skills in working with her Maintenance Co-ordinator, Matt Harrington. He says she has done a fantastic job of replacing fencing and repairing a wall at Roseville, one of our residential homes.”
Steph enjoys the variety of tasks such as gardening, flatpack furniture assembly, general property maintenance and repairs. She is also pleased to be directly helping people we support, finding it rewarding and fulfilling.
She says: “I enjoy problem solving and have a keen interest in learning how things operate and how I might be able to repair, improve or repurpose items. Initially I wrongly believed that apprenticeships were only meant for younger people. I was pleasantly surprised to find out there’s no age limit and anyone can partake.
“Learning on the job under the support of qualified and experienced mentors, whilst attending college/courses is a fantastic way to gain hands-on, practical knowledge and experience across all aspects of property maintenance.”
*In 2023 we won Paragon Skills’ Care Large Employer of the Year
